Tripartite talks between the United States, Russia, and Ukraine in Abu Dhabi took place in a “positive” and “constructive” atmosphere, Ukrainian officials said.
The contacts marked a new stage in Washington’s mediation efforts aimed at ending the war. President Trump’s advisers hope to narrow differences over the key point of contention—control over territories in eastern Ukraine. The talks unfolded against the backdrop of another large-scale Russian attack: overnight, missiles and drones were launched at Kyiv and other cities.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the Russian army deployed 370 attack drones and 21 missiles of various types. “We must ensure the full implementation of everything agreed with President Trump in Davos on air defense,” he stressed.
According to Ukrainian sources, the talks began on Friday and continued into Saturday. U.S. mediators held a joint meeting with the Russian and Ukrainian delegations, as well as separate direct talks between Russian and Ukrainian representatives without U.S. participation.
The U.S. delegation included Trump advisers Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner, and Josh Gruenbaum, U.S. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll, and the commander of U.S. European Command, Alexus Grynkewich. Ukraine was represented by Presidential Office chief Kyrylo Budanov, National Security Adviser Rustem Umerov, Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine General Andriy Hnatov, as well as presidential advisers Serhiy Kyslytsia and Davyd Arakhamia. The Russian delegation was led by Admiral Igor Kostyukov, head of the General Staff’s Main Directorate.
The negotiating teams also met with UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, at whose venue the consultations were held. The UAE has previously acted as a mediator between Russia and Ukraine on prisoner-of-war exchanges. A UAE government representative said discussions on Friday and Saturday proceeded in a constructive and positive atmosphere and included direct engagement between Russian and Ukrainian representatives on unresolved elements of the U.S.-proposed peace framework, as well as discussions of confidence-building measures intended to help advance toward a comprehensive agreement.
Zelensky, commenting on the outcome after a briefing from his negotiating team, also described the meetings as “constructive” and said the primary focus had been on “possible parameters for ending the war.” He added that he values the United States’ willingness to assume “monitoring and oversight of the process of ending the war and ensuring real security.”
Ukrainian officials expect the next round of talks could take place in Abu Dhabi as early as next week. “Military representatives have identified a list of issues for a potential next meeting. If there is readiness to move forward—and Ukraine is ready for this—further contacts are possible, including as soon as next week,” Zelensky said.